Window structure



Oct. 19, 1954 P. T. KEEBLER WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 19, 1952 22`Sheets-Sheet l Fig.4.

lNvENToR PoulTKeebler.

' BY 7mmf M v ATTORNEY Oct. 19A, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19,1952 Patented Oct. 19, 1954 WINDOW STRUCTURE Paul T. Keebler,Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor t B. & G. Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 19, 1952, SerialNo. 267,236

6 Claims.

My invention relates to storm windows which are mounted to enclose theusual windows of a building and has particular relation to storm windowsof the type adapted to be mounted on easement windows.

A storm window constructed in accordance with the teachings of the priorart of which I am aware consists of a rigid transparent assembly adaptedto be securely mounted either inside or outside of a building on theframe of a building window which it is to enclose. The frame of thestorm window assembly is sealed to the frame or the building window; butthe joint includes breather vents, and particles of soot, dirt and otherforeign materials seep in through the vents with the air whichcirculates between the windows and become deposited on the transparentsurfaces which bounds the space between the windows. It is essentialthat both surfaces of the building window and the storm window be`cleaned periodically. The external surfaces of both windows can behandled with facility but the surfaces bounding the space between thewindows is not readily accessible.

In cleaning storm windows constructed in accordance with the teachingsof the prior art, it is necessary to remove the storm window entirelyfrom the building window. Such removal involves serious inconvenienceand difficulty, and often, because o f the ineptness of the person whocleans the windows, may result in fracture of either the storm window orthe building windows.

It is, accordingly, an' object of my invention to vprovide a stormwindow assembly which shall readily permit cleaning of the surfacesbounding the space between the building window and the storm windowwithout vremoval ofthe storm window from the building window.

Another object of my invention is to provide a storm window assemblywhich when in use may be readily cleaned completely without seriousinconvenience or diiculty.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel storm windowconstruction. l An ancillary object of my invention is to provide anovel'hinge.

f In accordance with my invention, I provide a storm window assembly inwhich the transparent portion of the storm window is hinged to the frameon which it is supported. This frame is designed to be secured to theframe of the building window and the hinge assembly in accordance withmy invention, is so conceived that its bearing is provided in the frameof the storm Window and its hinge rod is secured to the transparentportion oi the window.

The storm window is repeatedly opened and closed during cleaning and isotherwise subject to substantial wear. In accordance with a specieaspect of my invention, then, the hinge is of sturdy constructionincluding a single hinge rod which extends throughout the length of thebearing. Such a long rod would have a tendency to bind but this tendencyis suppressed by thrust bearings provided at both ends of the rod. Thehinge bearing is provided with a positive stop which preventsrthe windowfrom swinging over too great an angle. This stop positions the stormwindow conveniently for cleaning and prevents damage to it by itsabruptly being thrown open by an attendant;

Storm windows of the type involved in my invention are preferablycomposed ofy aluminum or aluminum alloys. Such metals have a tendency tooxidize. To suppress any locking or binding effect by reason of theoxidation, the hinge rod, in accordance with my invention, is providedwith scraper edges which remove any oxidation from the bearing. Thehinge rod is also provided with grease grooves so that the bearing ismaintained welllubricated.

The entire hinge is mounted within the frame of the storm windowassembly and there are no external projections. The transparent portionof the storm window is maintained closed by a spring loaded latch whichyfirmly holds this portion against the frame.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention is setforth with particularity and in the appended claims. My inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof willbe understood by reference to the following description and to thedrawings, in which:

n Figure 1 is a view in front elevation from the outside of a buildingofa storm window in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken along line II-II of Fig, 1; v

Fig. 3 is al section taken along line III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective, partly exploded, showing the hinge rodassembly in accordance with my invention;

' Fig. 5 is a View in front elevation from the outside of the buildingof a portion of the storm window in accordance with my invention with apart broken away;

Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation of another portion of the stormwindow in accordance with my invention with a part broken away; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing a. modificationof my invention.

The structure shown in the drawing comprises a supporting frame 1adapted to be mounted on the frame 9 of the building window II to becovered. The frame 1 is of rectangular shape and has four sides I3, l5,I1 and I9. The sides are of composite contour but of generallytrapezoidal longitudinal cross section, the ends being at an angle of 45to the longest side. The dimensions of the sides are such that theshorter sides I1 and I9 may be disposed between the longer sides I3 andI5 in edge-along-edge engagement. One edge each of the sides I1 and I9are bra-Zed to the edges of the side I3 and the other edges of each areheld in engagement with the side I by corner gussets 2I which are stakedat 23. A rigid frame is thus formed.

While the frame shown in the drawings is brazed at two corners andgusseted'at the other two, frames formed in other Ways are within thescope of my invention. All four corners of the frame may be brazed orall four corners may be gusseted.

The long side I3 of the frame 1 consists of an elongated rectangularstrip 25 along which a hollow slot or channel 21 having the crosssection of the segment of a circle extends. A supporting ange 29projects from one edge of strip 25, and a strip 3I of substantial areaextends from the other end. The flange 29 and the strip 25 togetherconstitute a right angle bracket. The iiange 29 connects with the strip25 through a web 33 at right angles with it which is integral with theflange on one side and with the strip on the other. There is a notch 35which serves a breather vent in the web 33. The flange 29 has bevellededges and when mounted on the building window is sealed into a suitableplastic seal 31, which securely engages the frame 9 of the buildingwindow. The ange 29 is also secured to the frame 9 of the buildingwindow by a plurality of machine screws 39.

The other long side I5 of the frame 1 consists of a similar strip 4Ihaving a hollow slot or channel 43 from which a supporting flange 45projects. As in the case of the other side, a web 41 extends between theflange l5 and the strip 4I and includes a breather vent 49. The strip 4Ialso has a lip 5I of substantial area. The shorter sides I1 and I9 arealso provided with iianges 53 and 55, respectively, which are sealed tothe frame 9 of the building window in the same manner as the flanges 29and 45 of the longer sides I3 and I5.

The transparent portion of the storm window consists of a frame 59within which a translucent surface 6I such as glass is sealed. Thisframe 59 is mounted on the supporting frame 1 in such manner that sides63, 65, 61 and 69 of the window frame are parallel to correspondingsides l 3, I5, I1 and I9, respectively, of the supporting frame 1, andone of the surfaces each of the sides 63 and 65 rests against the lips3| and 5I, respectively.

The frame 59 is joined to the long side I3 of the supporting frame 1through a hinge rod which is of generally circular section and ispivotally mounted in the slot 21 of this side. A bracket 13 extendsbetween the hinge rod 1I and the corresponding side 63 of the windowframe 59; the bracket 13 is integral with the hinge pin 1I and issecured to the frame 59 by screws holding the frame 59 against the lip3I. This bracket 13 is bent substantially at right angles between itsjunction with the hinge rod 1I and its mounting on the frame 59. Theboundary 19 of the slot 21 remote from the frame 59 is at an acute angleto the adjacent surface 11 of the bracket 13 and when the bracket isrotated with the hinge rod 1I it engages this surface 16 and is stoppedfrom pivoting beyond it. The angle between the surfaces 'f6 and 1'! issuch that the storm window SI may be pivoted out to a convenientposition for cleaning and the coaction of the surfaces 16 and 11 holdsthe storm window in this position while it is being cleaned.

The hinge rod is provided with one or more grooves 19, the sides ofwhich terminate abruptly at the slot 21. .As the hinge rod rotates, theengagement of the edges of these grooves 19 with the slot tend to cleanthe slot, removing oxides and other foreign particles. The grooves 19also serve for lubrication purposes holding a lubricant between the rod1I and the slot 21.

The hinge rod 1I extends along the whole length of the slot 21 and toprevent binding of the long hinge rod, bronze end bearing studs 8l and83 are provided. These studs 8l and 83 engage the ends of the hinge rodon one side and the adjacent edges of the sides I1 and I9, respectively,of the supporting frame on the other.

Where a gusseted structure to the side I3 is used, the ends of thegussets projecting along side I3 may serve as thrust bearings. Thisstructure is shown in Fig. '7. In Figure 7 the ends of hinge rod 1l areshown as bearing simultaneously against the ends of gussets 2l, whichare located partially within the channel or slot 21.

Here, the gussets 2I perform the function of end bearings 8i, 83 inFigure 4.

On the opposite side 91, the frame of the window is provided with alatch 81. This latch comprises a pin 39 which is slidably mounted in theframe 59 near the center of the side 91 and carries at its external enda cup shaped projection 9I rigidly secured thereto. The pin projectsthrough a notch in the lip 5I. This pin is held in its outermostposition by a spring 93 which engages the inner surface of the cup 9| atone end and a washer secured to the side 59 at the other. At itsinternal end, the pin carries a locking hook 91 which engages the lip 5Iextending from the strip 4I and under the action of the spring 93 holdsthe frame 59 in engagement with the strip 4I.

With the hook 91 engaging the lip 5I of the adjacent strip 4I, thewindow is in the closed position. The hook 91 may be disengaged from thestrip 4I by compressing the cup-shaped portion 9| and turning it. Thewindow assembly may then be pivoted outward to the angle determined bythe limiting stop 16. The surfaces of the building window I l and thestorm window 6I which bound the space between the windows may thus bereadily cleaned without damage to either of the windows.

The storm windows may be mounted to pivot in different ways depending onthe structure of the building windows. A storm window may swing aboutthe edge (9) of a building window along which the building Window ispivoted, that is, the hinge of the storm window may be substantiallycoaxial with the hinges of the building window. Such an arrangement isused where two building windows covering an opening are arranged toswing away from their joint, one clockwise and the othercounterclockwise. The storm window may also be arranged to swing about ahinge mounted along the edge of the building window which is opened.Such an arrangement is used where the building windows which open aredisposed adjacent a picture window and the sides of the building windowsalong the picture window swing away from the picture Window. Where astorm window covers a transom window, the storm window may behorizontally hinged. The storm window for a picture window is alsocustomarily horizontally hinged with the storm window swinging upwardfrom the lower side of the picture window.

An important feature of my invention is the continuous hinge. This hingehas a length corresponding to the length of the side of the buildingwindow along which it is mounted. For long storm windows it iscorrespondingly long. The hinge therefore is in all situations capableof supporting the storm window.

While I have shown a certain specific object of my invention, I am fullyaware that many modii'lcations thereof are possible. My invention,therefore, is not to be limited except insofar as is necessitated by theprior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A storm window structure for a casement type window, comprising, awindow frame of generally rectangular outline, said window frameincluding means for securing said window frame immovably to a buildingstructure in a plane parallel to the plane of the building structure andoffset therefrom, said Window frame comprising a plurality of flangedbrackets, said brackets each including a flange extending in a planeparallel with said building structure, each of said brackets furtherincluding a strip extending from said flange in a directionperpendicular with said building structure, one of said stripsterminating remotely of said building structure in a hinge `postextending parallel to said building structure and of substantiallyrectangular transverse cross section, said-hinge post having only asingle longitudinal channel extending along the entire length of saidhinge post, said channel having a cross section in the form of an arc ofa circle subtending an angle of greater than 180 and facing away fromthe building structure, a rectangular sash frame set into said windowframe, a transparent panel set into said sash frame, a hinge rod ofgenerally circular transverse cross section secured to the said sashframe at one side thereof, said hinge rod substantially co-extensivewith said channel and snugly and rotatively seating within said channel,and means for positioning said hinge rod longitudinally of said channelconsisting of end bearings for the ends of said hinge rod located withinsaid channel at opposite ends thereof, said hinge rod extending theentire distance between said end bearings.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hinge rodincludes at least one groove in its outer surface, said at least onegroove extending along substantially the entire length of said hingerod, said at least one groove having sharp edges, said hinge post andhinge rod being fabricated of aluminum, whereby said sharp edges removeoxide of aluminum during rotation of said hinge rod.

3. A storm window sash for a easement window structure comprising, arectangular window frame, a rectangular sash frame set into said Windowframe, said window frame having four frame members adjacent ones ofwhich extend mutually at right angles, at least one of said window framemembers having a longitudinal channel extending along its entire length,said channel having the transverse cross section of a segment of acircle subtending an arc of greater than a plurality of gussets, each ofsaid gussets securing together an adjacent pair of said window framemembers, each of said gussets extending into a different end of saidchannel, a hinge rod located within said channel and rotatable therein,means rigidly securing said hinge rod to one side of said sash frame,said hinge rod extending between said gussets, and said gussetsproviding end bearings for said hinge rod.

4. A storm Window structure for a easement window comprising arectangular window frame, a rectangular sash frame set into said windowframe, said window frame having four frame members adjacent ones ofwhich extend mutually at right angles, at least one of said framemembers having a longitudinal channel extending along the entire lengththereof, said channel having the transverse cross section of a segmentof a circle making an arc greater than 180, a plurality of end bearingmembers fixed at opposite ends of said channel and at least partially insaid channel, a hinge rod located Within said channel and rotatabletherein, means for rigidly securing said hinge rod to one side of saidsash frame, said hinge rod extending between both of said end bearingmembers in simultaneous end bearing relation thereto.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein is provided alongitudinally extending groove in said hinge rod, said groove adaptedto contain lubricating material and provided with edges of suicientsharpness to remove foreign particles encountered by said edges duringrotation of said hinge rod.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said end bearingmembers are gusset elements arranged to secure together adjacent andmutually perpendicular ones of said window frame members.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,579,848 Veno Apr. 6, 1926 1,672,418 Lehman June 5, 19281,823,514 Shrauger Sept. 15, 1931 2,186,458 Lehman Jan. 9, 19402,200,568 Weedon May 14, 1940 2,321,118 Zechiel June 8, 1943 2,365,378Benson Dec. 19, 1944 2,402,247 Green June 18, 1946 2,568,130 Olson Sept.18, 1951 2,578,470 Gorell et al Dec. 11, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 627,502 France June 1l, 1927 160,706 Switzerland June 1,1933 282,005 Switzerland July 7, 1952

